The celebration is upon us! Today is the start of Tolkien Week, the annual festival that honors the work of J. R. R. Tolkien and his son and editor, Christopher Tolkien. First celebrated in 1978 by the American Tolkien Society, Tolkien Week is the calendar week that contains September 22, observed as Hobbit Day. Tolkien Week 2017 is Sunday, September 17 through Saturday, September 23.

Hobbit Day was also first celebrated in 1978, and falls on the day of Bilbo and Frodo Baggins’ shared birthday. This year, fans have an extra special element to the Hobbit Day celebrations, since we are commemorating the 80th anniversary of the publication of The Hobbit.

Hard on the heels of Tolkien Week is Feast Week, observed September 22 through September 29 each year. Feast Week follows the first eight days of Frodo’s journey, marking each day with an appropriate meal. To make this year even more exciting, we are running a CONTEST for Feast Week! You can find the details here. But hurry! Entries close on September 18!

Keep an eye on Middle-earth News for lots of special posts in honor of Tolkien Week!

Author: Valdis
Valdís is a classic nerd, with many geeky interests, but her life-long love of Tolkien rules them all. She was completely hooked the first time that she read The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings at age 8. Since then, she has read the books at least once a year, and delves into Middle-earth at every opportunity with a fervor that would make any dwarf proud. She also deeply loves Peter Jackson’s films, and defends them staunchly when need arises.
When reality forces her out of Middle-earth, Valdís is a university professor, a wife, mother of two daughters, and servant to three cats.